Did anyone mention you about the cfm on air compressor? Are you wondering what is an air compressor and what is cfm on air compressor? In this article, I will clear up all your confusion. Stay with me till the end.
Quick Overview
What is an air compressor?
An air compressor is an electric device that converts power into potential energy. It uses an electric motor, diesel engine or gasoline engine to convert power. The compressor works for any gas or air. The air compressor is one of the most efficient devices. It is also cost-friendly.
The air compressor help in construction, maintenance or repairing automobiles. It also helps in do it yourself or DIY craft projects. An air compressor can be found in different sizes, shapes and, types. Two common types of air compressors are:
- Portable air compressor:
Portable air compressors are portable. They can be used anywhere, in any place. These compressors are flexible and easy to use. These air compressors are used for inflating sports equipment or air mattresses.
- Stationary air compressor:
Stationary air compressors are static. These compressors cannot be moved from one place to another. These compressors are more powerful than portable air compressors. As they provide more power. These air compressors can maintain cfm as desired by the user. As they have larger tanks.
- Read Also: Best Air Compressors Under 200 Dollars
Classification of the air compressor:
The air compressor can be classified according to the pressure. They can also be classified according to the design and principle of operation.
Classification according to the pressure:
- Low-pressure air compressors.
- Medium air compressors.
- High-pressure air compressors.
Classification according to the design and principle of operation:
- Single-stage reciprocating compressor.
- Two-stage reciprocating compressor.
- Compound compressor.
- Rotary screw compressor.
- Rotary vane pump.
- Scroll compressor.
- Turbocompressor.
- Centrifugal compressor.
How are compressors are measured?
The air compressors can be measured in two ways. They are:
- Pounds per square inch or in short psi
- Cubic feet per minute or in short cfm
The psi and cfm determine the effectiveness of the air compressor. Identify the psi and cfm needed for your air tool, before buying the air compressor. The air tools with the highest psi and cfm requirements are best to use. If you want to use several tools, you must total the cfm needed for each tool. Then buy the air compressor with that cfm or more than that cfm.
The air compressor with more cfm than needed is best to use. This increases the efficiency of the air compressor. To get the best result, try to buy the air compressor with 1.25 or 1.50 times more cfm than the air tools needs.
What is cfm on air compressor
Are you wondering what is cfm on air compressor, as you have learned all the things about the air compressor?
Cfm is the short form of cubic feet per minute. It is the measurement of the volumetric flow of the air of the compressor. The air compressor pushes out air. The measurement of the flow of these pushed out air is cfm. Simply, the air flow velocity of these pushed out air is cfm.
Cfm is also called scfm and acfm. Scfm is the short form of standard cubic feet per minute and acfm is short for average cubic feet per minute.
Cfm needs of the air tools give an idea about what the air compressor does. The compressor with higher cfm is used for industrial applications. And the compressor with lower cfm is used for passenger tire inflation. It is difficult to know how much cfm the air tool of an air compressor needs. The air compressor with low cfm than needed won’t run properly. Again compressor with very high cfm is overspent of money. But keep in mind, cfm of the air tools should match the guidelines of the manufacturer.
At a Glance
Why don’t we have a look at this infographic and get a clear idea about what is cfm on air compressor in an instant…
What is the difference between cfm and scfm?
Cfm is the measurement of the volumetric flow of the air of the compressor at an actual time. That means it is the volume of air measured at the exact temperature or pressure. Cfm is not a standard measurement.
But scfm is the standard measurement of the volumetric flow of the air of the compressor. It is the measurement in standard condition. Standard means standard temperature, standard pressure, even a standard relative humidity.
Now a question can come in your mind, Is scfm higher than cfm? Let me clear that confusion for you.
Scfm calculation is done in standard condition, in 14.7 psi. But cfm measurement is done in actual condition, in 90 psi. That’s why scfm is higher than cfm.
Does cfm increase as psi decreases?
Cfm is as we already know, measurement of the volumetric flow of air. But psi is the measure of pressure in lbs. or pound per square inch. Psi is short for pound per square inch.
If the pressure rises it becomes harder to compress the air in the tank of the compressor. That is if the pressure is higher, the cfm goes down.
How do I know the cfm of my air compressor?
Some manufacturers may write false cfm on their guidelines for the air tool. For this, it is better to check the real cfm of the compressor by yourself. Use the below step to determine cfm of your air compressor.
Step 1:
Check the volume of the air compressor tank in gallons. Divide this volume by 7.48. So, we get the volume of the tank in cubic feet.
Step 2:
Release all the air from the compressor. Now start refilling it and record the time it takes to refill. Record the psi at the time the compressor kicked in and at the time the compressor kicks out.
Step 3:
Subtract the psi recorded at the time the compressor kicked in from at the time the compressor kicks out. Divide this result by 14.7 to get the amount of pressure in atm added during the tank’s filling cycle.
Step 4:
Now, multiply the volume found in step 1 from the pressure found in step 3. This is the number of cubic feet the compressor pumps while refilling the tank.
Step 5:
Divide the result found in step 4 by the number of seconds the compressor took to pump. Now, multiply the result by 60. This is the cfm of the air compressor.
Is higher cfm better air compressor?
The air compressor with higher cfm provides more air. Cfm of the air compressor must be more than needed, to work more efficiently. So, higher the cfm is better for the air compressor.
Hope you have got the answer to your question, what is cfm on air compressor? Cfm is an essential part of the air compressor. Higher the cfm the better the air compressor and more efficiently it works.
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